Turtle Conservation
New Rearing Pond at the Hicatee Conservation & Research Center
Designed to study the reproductive biology and to determine if the Central American River turtle could be bred in captivity, the Hicatee Conservation & Research Center opened in 2014 and was met with immediate success when, in the summer of 2015, the first seven hatchlings emerged. This was followed by five hatchlings in 2016, 84…
Read MoreTeam Hicatee Competes in La Ruta Maya
By Jaren Serano The La Ruta Maya 2019 Belize River Challenge is considered one of the most gruesome races in Belizean history and it is the longest canoe race in Central America: a four- day event covering over 180 miles of Belizean river. Paddlers from all corners of the country and internationally converge at the…
Read MoreSpring ’19 Hicatee Health Assessments
During the early March Hicatee Health Assessment, a total of 214 turtles were assessed at the Hicatee conservation and Research Center (HCRC). The primary purpose of the spring health assessment was to perform a basic exam of the overall health of the captive population at the HCRC. Because oviposition takes place between the months…
Read MoreWinners Announced for the National Hicatee Poster Contest
BFREE and the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) are pleased to announce the winners of a national poster contest for primary school students. The Overall Winner was Seydi Medrano from Ambergris Caye Elementary School in San Pedro, Belize. (First image) The Winner of the 12-14 age group was Kevin Thurton from Hummingbird Elementary School in Belize…
Read MoreHicatee Awareness Month 2018 Wrap Up
Hicatee Awareness Month 2018 The Hicatee turtle, a national treasure for Belize, is seriously under threat due to over-hunting for human consumption. Listed as critically endangered, Belize offers the highest chance for its survival. Because the Hicatee is in need of greater protection and innovative conservation actions, Turtle Survival Alliance and BFREE launched Hicateee Awareness Month, a country-wide awareness campaign…
Read MoreHicatee Awareness Month 2018 Wrap Up
Hicatee Awareness Month 2018 The Hicatee turtle, a national treasure for Belize, is seriously under threat due to over-hunting for human consumption. Listed as critically endangered, Belize offers the highest chance for its survival. Because the Hicatee is in need of greater protection and innovative conservation actions, Turtle Survival Alliance and BFREE launched Hicateee Awareness Month, a country-wide awareness campaign…
Read MoreHicatee Awareness Month in the News
Hicatee Awareness Month in the News! HCRC Manager, Thomas Pop, Field Course Leader, Nelly Cadle, and Science & Education Fellow, Jaren Serano had the distinct honor of being interviewed about BFREE, the HCRC, and all things Hicatee on news outlets thoughout Belize during October. We are thrilled that the media helped in bringing positive attention to work…
Read MoreHicatee Awareness Month in the News
Hicatee Awareness Month in the News! HCRC Manager, Thomas Pop, Field Course Leader, Nelly Cadle, and Science & Education Fellow, Jaren Serano had the distinct honor of being interviewed about BFREE, the HCRC, and all things Hicatee on news outlets thoughout Belize during October. We are thrilled that the media helped in bringing positive attention to work…
Read MoreInternational Herpetological Symposium 2019 in Belize
Next June, the International Herpetological Symposium (IHS) will held at the Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza in Belize City. The mission of the IHS is to provide a forum for the dissemination of information and results of such research pertaining to the natural history, conservation biology, and captive management and propagation of amphibians and reptiles. Each year…
Read MoreProfessional Development for HCRC Staff
Thomas Pop, Manager of the Hicatee Conservation & Research Center, visited the Cayo District for one week in September to receive training at the Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic (BWRC). BWRC offers free training for governmental and non-governmental partners in wildlife conservation issues, rescue and rehabilitation, wildlife husbandry, emergency response and more. Depending on needs…
Read More